Holmdel bids farewell to a 'true patriot'
Fallen Green Beret awarded Bronze Star, Purple Heart
BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer
Though sometimes overshadowed by the constant news headlines surrounding the conflict in Iraq, the presence of American troops in Afghanistan is still very much a reality.

Staff Sgt. William R. Neil Jr.

On March 22, that reality hit home when one of Holmdel's own was killed in action.

Flags flewat half-staff for several days last week, and Gov. Jon Corzine came to express condolences March 28 to the family of Staff Sgt.William R. Neil Jr., 38, at the wake for the fallen Green Beret.

Neil, whose funeral took place Saturday, was killed March 22 near Sperwan Ghar, in the Kandahar Province, while serving with the U.S. Army in Operation Enduring Freedom inAfghanistan.

According to the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), Neil died from wounds sustained when the vehicle hewas riding in struck an improvised explosive device while conducting a combat operation.

Friends and family, as well as members of the community, made their way in the blustery weather to St. Catharine's Church for the funeral Mass, and later to the interment at Holmdel Cemetery onMarch 29.

ERIC SUCAR staff A Patriot Guard Rider salutes as Green Berets of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) serving as pallbearers prepare to carry the casket of Staff Sgt. William Neil Jr. into St. Catharine's Church in Holmdel for a funeral Mass on March 29. See story, page 3.

Several hundred people filled St. Catharine's,with a cadre ofGreen Berets filling the front pews across from Neil's family. Dozens of uniformedmilitary and police filled the back of the church as well.

The church was hushed, punctuated by the sound of quiet grieving both by uniformed soldiers and civilians.

Neil's commanding officer spoke to those gathered for the service.

"Billywill be remembered not by a speech given today, but in the way that he lived his life," said Col. William Hager, deputy commander of the 3rd Special Forces Group, during a eulogy at the church. "He was the kind of man that we are proud to serve with."

Neil was given full military honors, with bagpipes and precisely executed drills by an honor guard at the church and graveside services.

ERIC SUCAR staff Clockwise from top: Staff Sgt. William R. Neil Jr., who served with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), was killed in action in Afghanistan on March 22. Green Berets of the 3rd Special Forces Group carry his casket to the grave site at Holmdel Cemetery on Saturday, March 29. The fallen soldier's father, William Sr., comforts his wife, Patricia, after services at Holmdel Cemetery. Green Berets salute as Neil's casket is carried into St. Catharine's Church in Holmdel for the funeral Mass. A mourner holds a rose during funeral services for Neil, a Holmdel resident, who was killed by an improvised explosive device. To view a slide presentation of photos of Sgt. Neil's funeral, visit the Web site www.gmnews.com and click on Photo Page.

In addition to Hager, the military presence included: the honor guard from Fort Bragg, N.C.; Green Berets, both old and young; local veterans;members of N.J. State Police Troop E; members of the Holmdel Police Department; members of the Jersey City Fire Department; and members of the Newark Police Department.

Monsignor Eugene Rebeck, of St. Catharine's Church, described Neil as a loyal and compassionate man who "fought for a cause he so dearly believed in" and urged mourners to remember the people ofAfghanistan in their prayers.

"There is no greater love than to lay one's life down for your friends," Rebeck said. "Sgt. William Neil followed this ideal."

Bishop John Smith, head of theDiocese of Trenton, also offered words of comfort to Neil's friends and family, acknowledging the kind of man Neil was.

Neil was deployed as a paratrooper and communications sergeant with the Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha Teamandwas assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), out of Fort Bragg, N.C.

"As a veteran and commander of VFWPost 5918, I felt that our flags in Holmdel should be lowered to half-staff," saidArt Davey, formermayor of Holmdel and KoreanWar veteran. "Normally, the president or the governor decides to take this action, but he was one of our own and I felt it was the right thing to do."

The flags around Holmdel Township were flown at half-staff until Sundaymorning.

"The VFW feels strongly about supporting [Staff Sgt.] William Neil's family during this time and they have our deepest condolences," Davey said.

Mayor Serena DiMaso also expressed her condolences.

"It is a tragedy when you lose any of your residents, but this young man made the ultimate sacrifice for us," she said. "I am thankful to him and to his family."

Staff Sgt.William R. Neil Jr., known as Billy to friends and family, was described as a kind and generous person who loved both his family as well as serving his country, in a statement released by his family last week.

Born in Jersey City, Neil enjoyed restoring classic cars and reading nonfiction and historical publications. Some of his pastimes included traveling and photography. Neil enjoyed eating Mexican and Italian foods.

"We are extremely proud of his courage and his commitment to our country's endeavor and extend our sympathy to other fallen heroes' families," the statement read. "He will be sorelymissed by family, friends and his comrades still fighting for the cause Billy so dearly believed in. He is a true patriot who will never be forgotten."

In 2006, Neil earned the highly esteemed Green Beret.

Deployed in November 2007 for his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, Neil had originally volunteered for theArmy in 1998 as a supply specialist. His first duty assignment was with the 4th Ranger Training Battalion at Fort Benning, Ga., from 1998 to 2003. After completing his training, he later attended and graduated from Ranger School before attending the Special Forces Qualification Course.

Prior to his service in the Army, Neil had enlisted with the U.S. Navy after graduating from Hudson Catholic High School in 1987. After serving four years, he returned home and went on to work on Wall Street for the next five years. But Neil eventually gave up life onWall Street for a career with the Army.

Spanning his career in themilitary,Neil was the recipient of many commendations and decorations. He received the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge, the Special Forces Tab and the Ranger Tab.

Staff Sgt. William R. Neil Jr. received the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman's Badge posthumously.

The family had designated donations to The Walter Reed Hospital Soldier and Family Assistance Center as an alternative to flowers. Neil leaves behind his parents, William Sr. and Patricia Neil, three sisters and their families, and his girlfriend.

In Holmdel, Neil will be forever remembered, as his name will be engraved on one of the markers at the Veterans Memorial at Phillips Park on Telegraph Hill Road.